Another goodbye

This last Saturday evening, we got together with some of my family from Richlands, NC.  It was so special to see them before we leave.  I am so thankful for the loving Christian family the Lord blessed me with.

These  2 men are so very special to me.  Growing up, I never had a grandfather so I always had a special place in my heart for my 2 great uncles, my Grandmother's brothers. I so vividly remember curling up in my Uncle Cecil's lap and him singing to me and spending hours in Uncle Edward's mechanic shop watching him work on cars while I drank an ice cold Pepsi from his Pepsi machine.  He always called me "tad pole". 

The older I get, the harder good byes get.  I think mainly because I realize that people like my 2 sweet uncles are getting older too.  But no matter how old I get, I will always love my uncles and will always be their little "tad pole".

Packing up!

Saturday July 22nd

Wow!!  It is hard to believe that we are really packing up.  We still have a little over a week left here in the house but I wanted to get packing done early so I could enjoy the last few days here with friends and family rather than stressing about packing. 

Aiden loves helping John.

My boys.....hard at work!



The kids had a ball playing in all the boxes.  Although after about 30 minutes of trying to pack with them around and pulling stuff back out of boxes, I had to call my parents to come get the kids.  They were just trying to help....but they were a little bit too much help!

Shopping Galore!

People often ask me how you even begin to prepare to take a family of 5 to Africa for 2 years.   And this is my answer.....lists!!  I have lists for everything from clothing needs, to toiletries, to schooling materials to food items.  Over the last few months I have accumulated lists of things we will need to ship over to Togo.  And Friday was our big shopping day.  My parents watched the kids so John and I could do our shopping quickly and effeciently......meaning, without 3 little people to wrangle!!

It was hard trying to decide what to actually buy.  Everything is made from scratch so I made sure to buy things that would allow me to cook snacks and things for the kids.   I was tempted to get carried away saying, "Oh!!  The kids will need this!!".  Thankfully, John helped me figure out necessity versus luxury items.  Although he did let me get a couple special things (like NesQuick and Ranch Mix) for the kids.



Ready to check out at Sam's Club.

Loading up our goods

After a trip to Sam's Club, we went to WalMart. 

Kool Aid for the kids (sorry the picture wouldn't turn)

Flash Lights are an ABSOLUTE necessity to keep from stepping on snakes after dark.

Pepperoni!!  And water coolers

And enough deodarant for a small army!  But hey....you can't have stinky missionaries!

Sweet Friends

Recently, I was able to ge together with my 3 best girlfriends from college.  All through college we were inseparable.  From 3 different states, the Lord knew we needed each other to get through 4 years of nursing school.We wanted to get together before we leave for Togo.  

Saying good bye to my little people at 5:30 in the morning.

So thankful for my sweet husband who encouraged me to go on this trip and who was so willing to keep the kids!

We spent the weekend in Baton Rouge



Amber (Baby Eva) and Kim

Kim & Summer

We didn't plan it, but actually all packed similar shirts!

I am so blessed to have these amazing women in my live.  They encourage me to live for the Lord and help me to be a better wife and mother.

Sweet Summer!  She cracks me up!

Flowers the kids gave me when they picked me up at the airport.

Roses John gave me when they picked me up.

I am so thankful for the time I was able to spend with these girls. We are altready planning our next get together.....in Africa!

Saying "Goodbye"

Last week,  our co-workers had a going away party for us and one of the other nurses, Mindy, who is leaving.  We had a great time watching the kids swim and sitting around talking.  This is a special group of people. We work in such a stressful work environment and rely so much on each other it is so fun to be together away from work.

This is definitely the best group of nurses ever!

I love these Moms!!

Today was my last Mom2Mom meeting. For the last couple years a group of moms at church get together for activities and Bible studies. We met today for water day! There was around 50 moms and kids! It really was a blast!

I didn't think to get a picture until most everyone had already left, but these are a few of the other moms...my dear sweet friends.

All the moms brought stuff for us for Togo...from band aids, to jello to bug spray, to hand sanitizier. They loaded us up! How very thoughtful!


I will miss these friends. Some of them I know well. Some of us grew up together. Some of us have just met. Some have been saved for years, while others are just starting their journey with Jesus. Some work outside the home and others work in the home! Some are military wives and others are Wayne County girls. So many different backgrounds and so many different paths ahead, but we all share one common thread in our desire to be godly wives and mothers.


They have all taught me so much and have been such a good support system as we all navigate this journey of Christian Motherhood. Whether discussing diapering, playdates, prayer requests, women of the Bible, tips for a successful marriage,new recipes or home management, each of these women impacted me in a tremendous way. I am eternally thankful for knowing each of them and so thankful for our Mom2Mom group!

Talk Less....Pray More

"You are a missionary!"

 "You are going to Africa!!"

"You must have great faith!" 

 I wish that was always the case..... but the Lord has so convicted me. I am a worrier by nature. I get anxious over little things and try my best to fix things. Just the other day a situation came up that I have since been struggling with, trying to figure out how in my power I could fix it. I was worrying, stressing. I knew that I could solve the problem and ease my worries. Then I thought, maybe I will mention it to a few people and ask them to pray for the outcome that I just knew would be best.

That very day, I read a quote that the Lord used to immediately convict me. It simply said, "have you prayed about it today, as much as you have talked about it today?". Wow! That was just for me. It is easy to excuse my worrying as just being a mom, just concerned about my kids, right? Well, no. The Lord has shown me anew that my worrying and anxiety is so much more than just being a mom.....it is sin. I didn't want to think about it like that...but I realized that my worrying is a lack of faith and displeasing to god. Hebrews 11:6, But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him." There is it...my worrying is displeasing to God.

 That realization absolutely broke my heart.

I am far from perfect and have so much growing to do as a Christian, but more than anything I want to please God. So now what?  How will I allow this to really change me?  I know this is something that I will probably always struggle with. It is my weakness. I struggle with it almost constantly through out the day. But the Lord has given the answer. He told us, "Be careful(literally anxious) for nothing; but in every thing by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known unto God."  So rather than taking things into my own hands and sending an email trying to accomplish my will; and rather than telling anyone what the issue is, the Lord convicted me to simply pray and have faith in His outcome.  Instead of trying to take control, I will lay my burden at Jesus feet.  As the thoughts of worry and uncertainty creep into my head, I simply whisper, "Lord I know you are in control. I am giving it to you."  He knows best and He wants the best for us. So instead, with the Lord's help, I will talk less and pray more!